Did you know that moving is listed as one of the top 10 reasons to cause stress in our lives? Moving is a real pain in the neck. Making a long-distance move can be even more of a challenge. That’s why having a moving checklist can make the laborious job of moving, much, much more bearable. Read on to get some helpful tips and tricks in getting ready for a long-distance move!
Step-By-Step Preparation for A Long-Distance Move
- First off, you need to decide whether you’re moving or not and where you’re moving to. Many people hum and haw over making a move because the time and effort it takes to move is so overwhelming. But once you take the plunge and make that decision to move, you need to find a place to move to.
- Next, you have to find and buy or rent a house, apartment, or condo in the destination of your choice. You must decide if you are staying locally or moving to another city, province, or country?
- After that, you need to decide on a moving date and find a moving company to help make your move as smooth as possible. Add this to your long-distance moving checklist.
- You also want to consider the season and month of your move. The winter poses its challenges because of snow and cold temperatures making moving difficult and uncomfortable. But you also want to consider the peak season between May and July as prices are higher due to high demand.
- Start searching for the right and appropriate moving company. How do you do this? Check their price transparency, read reviews, and look at their reputation and the services they provide. What's their availability like, what is their legal status etc.? So much information is available to find online. Once you've done that, you can check it off your long-distance moving checklist.
1. Our Personalized Moving Checklist – 15 Things To Do Before A Long-Distance Move
Now you've decided you're moving, found a place to move to, and hired a moving company to get you there, you have to make a moving checklist. So, let’s get to it!
Here is a personalized moving checklist created by professionals with years of experience in long-distance moving:
- Make a moving checklist of items to be moved.
Do this room by room and write down every item you can think of.
- Make a list of items to donate, sell and leave in the old house/apartment.
Think of your move as a fresh start. What items can you part with, are there old clothing you no longer wear, or kids’ toys that are no longer played with? What items can you sell online or at a consignment shop? Maybe there are things you can leave behind for the next tenants.
- Make sure to exclude from the moving checklist any food, inflammable and dangerous materials since movers are not allowed to transport them.
- Notify the landlords at both locations about moving out and moving in.
If you're renting, this is an especially important step because there can be penalties involved. This step is essential in getting ready for a long-distance move.
- Reserve the elevator(s) at each location.
This is often forgotten and can make the moving process much longer and more complicated if it’s a missed step.
- Make all the arrangements for changing your address (internet provider, banking institution, driver's license, gas, garbage, water, and electricity suppliers, the CRA, doctor, dentist, other medical practitioners, and anyone else who has your address on file). Doing this in advance makes your life so much easier after the move is complete.
- Make sure your new location has enough closet and storage space to store all your belongings. If not, consider renting a locker or garage in the same building or elsewhere. Or downsizing your items by giving them away, selling, or donating.
- If you need storage space, reserve beforehand at a reputable storage facility to warehouse the excess belongings that won't fit in your new dwelling.
- Get ready to pack and bring with you personally your most valuable items.
Things like jewelry, watches, cash, credit cards, personal IDs, precious documents like last will, bonds, and obligations. You should always travel with these items on your person in case of an emergency.
- Book a day off from work for your moving day.
There's nothing worse than making all these plans, only to be told by your boss you can't have the day off. This is an important step in getting ready for a long-distance move.
- Contact friends and family to book them to help on your moving day to assist you.
Even if you hire a moving company, it's still nice to have friends and family assisting the supervision of your stuff while movers are loading or unloading. Or helping with small boxes and luggage and bringing them in your car.
- Reserve some time for making small repairs after leaving your first location.
There may be some holes to fill, from hanging pictures, or removing a TV, or mirror, etc.
- If you’re packing boxes yourself, please go room by room and write on each box the name and room and what’s inside. This can be extremely helpful in the case that you need access to a boxed item before the move.
- If you will have intermediary stops between the first pickup and drop-off locations, please advise movers on the order of placing the things into the truck for better logistics and accommodations and put them separately onto a dedicated area.
- Take pictures of your appliances, furniture, bedroom sets, etc. to ensure they will be delivered in the same condition as they were before loading. This step in your moving checklist will give you the peace of mind that all your items will arrive as they were meant to.
2. Moving Day Checklist – What Should You Do
Moving day is finally here! What do you do? How do you start getting ready for your long-distance move?
- First of all, today is not the day to sleep in. Waking up early and doing the last check is critical. Make sure you didn’t forget anything from the previous checklist and try getting organized as much as possible with no stress.
- Make sure there is a parking spot or area for the movers available. Take all the necessary actions to make it available. Using small parking cones or pylons to indicate an area is in use, is a great strategy to ensure you have the perfect spot for your moving truck.
- Welcome your movers and take them on a tour of your home, explain your preferences and specific needs. Coordinate everything with the team leader. This will prevent issues or miscommunications from arising.
- Coordinate the move but don't feel you have to be in charge. Don't forget you have hired professional movers who know their job and have experience in moving. Try to relax and not be too nervous. If they have any questions, rest assured, that you will be asked.
- After loading everything into the truck, make sure all is empty; check every room, closet, cabinet, and storage space. Not only will this help you not leave anything important behind, but it will also let you rest easy knowing you did that final walk-through.
- Check-in with the moving crew leader. Confirm the time of delivery at the new location and ensure you can be at the new address in time to meet them to start the unloading process. This is an important point to remember in getting ready for a long-distance move.
- Being first at the new location and making sure everything is going according to your long-distance moving checklist is important. Ensure the parking and unloading area is empty (another use for your pylons). Double-check that the elevators are reserved if needed and that things are ready to go for when the movers arrive.
- Once the movers arrive, guide them through the new place, specifying your preferences to ensure every item will be placed in the correct rooms and other expectations are met.
- Mandatorily signing the moving contract at the end with the mention that all is well, there are no damages to your belongings or your property. Do a walk-through with your team leader if needed. Refer to your long-distance moving checklist to confirm all important items have been looked over.
- Pay the bill with the movers or with the company. Do not forget about tips if you are satisfied with your mover’s quality of service. Just like other professions in the service industry, movers put in great effort to make your move as seamless as possible. If you are happy with their work, please reward them with a tip.
- Take a coffee or tea (or wine) break, relax, take in your new surroundings, and know that you have started the next chapter of your life. Think about unpacking your personal effects and imagine your new life in your new home!
3. Take A few Actions After Having Moved – Our Perspective
We understand moving, and take it from us, the next few tips from our moving checklist are some of the most important yet:
- Unpack everything and put them in their right place. Don’t live out of boxes for weeks. This is a really important step that your future self will thank you for!
- Once you've unpacked everything, get rid of all used boxes, wardrobe boxes, or other packing material. Throw them out, donate them or sell them. Don't let them take up space in your new home.
- Make sure you are registered everywhere with your new address. Cross it off on your long-distance moving checklist.
- Summarize the mover's job and moving company's approach and performance and leave a good review on Google, Facebook, Yelp, etc. This is more helpful than you know!
- Enjoy life in your new home!
Make Moving An Amazing Memory
So, you’re moving and want to find the easy way. Use our moving checklist to find all the tips and tricks to make moving simple and stress-free. If you are getting ready for a long-distance move and are looking for a great moving company, look no further than Total Distance Solutions. Make moving an amazing memory. Give us a call today or click on the link to get a FREE online quote. You won’t regret it!
